Abstract: Transgenes driven by naturally occurring cardiac promoters have relatively low levels of cardiac transgenic gene expression, and have consequently limited the use of cardiac muscle as a target for plasmid mediated gene supplementation. However, by randomly assembling motifs of E-box, MEF-2, TEF-1 and SRE elements, cardiac-specific synthetic promoter recombinant libraries have been produced. By screening hundreds of resultant clones for transcriptional activity both in vitro and in vivo, a few cardiac-specific synthetic promoters were discovered comprising a transcriptional potency that greatly exceeds the transcriptional levels obtained from natural myogenic and viral gene promoters. These promoters are used to direct the expression of desirable genes in nucleic acid expression constructs specifically to cardiac cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Drosophila models of the neurodegenerative disorder spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA-1). In particular, the invention relates to transgenic Drosophila which express normal human ataxin-1 or mutant human ataxin-1 with expanded polyglutamine repeats for SCA-1 therapeutics. The invention further relates to the diagnosis of predispositions to developing SCA-1. The invention further relates to methods of using the transgenic Drosophila to screen for therapeutics of SCA-1 and other neurodegenerative disorders. The invention further relates to the identification of modifier genes of the SCA-1 phenotypes produced by overexpression of ataxin-1, for therapeutic and diagnostic uses and for screening for therapeutics of SCA-1 and other neurodegenerative disorders. The invention further relates to the diagnosis of a predisposition to SCA-1 comprising detecting the overexpression of normal ataxin-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved rotavirus vaccine for man and animals and methods of using them. The invention comprises a method of immunizing humans, particularly children, and animals against rotavirus infections by parenteral immunization. The immunization may be carried out in a series of injections using live or inactivated vaccines, alone or in combination with each other or in combination with a rotavirus subunit vaccine or oral vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispersive, diffraction grating, NIR spectrometer that automatically calibrates the wavelength scale of the instrument without the need for external wavelength calibration materials. The invention results from the novel combination of: 1) a low power He—Ne laser at right angles to the source beam of the spectrometer; 2) a folding mirror to redirect the collimated laser beam so that it is parallel to the source beam; 3) the tendency of diffraction gratings to produce overlapping spectra of higher orders; 4) a “polka dot” beam splitter to redirect the majority of the laser beam toward the reference detector; 5) PbS detectors and 6) a software routine written in Lab VIEW that automatically corrects the wavelength scale of the instrument from the positions of the 632.8 nm laser line in the spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for decreasing the body fat proportion, increasing lean body mass (“LBM”), increasing bone density, or improving the rate of bone healing, or all, of a subject. Overall, the embodiments of the invention can be accomplished by delivering a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof into the cells of the subject and allowing expression of the encoded gene to occur while the modified cells are within the subject. For instance, when such a nucleic acid sequence is delivered into the specific cells of the subject tissue specific constitutive expression is achieved. Furthermore, external regulation of the GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof gene can be accomplished by utilizing inducible promoters that are regulated by molecular switch molecules, which are given to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting an abnormal condition of a blood pump system based on the power consumption of the pump actuator. By plotting differentiated power consumption of the pump actuator over time against the power consumption, a plot pattern is obtained. A change of the plot pattern area and/or a movement of the plot pattern will indicate a change in condition of the pump. A Heart Pump Area (HPA) index may be established which corresponds to the changing area of the plot pattern over time. A Heart Pump Position (HPP) index may be established which corresponds to the changing position of the plot pattern over time (e.g., corresponding to the distance the plot pattern has moved). By plotting the HPA index against the HPP index, changes in the condition of the pump can be monitored and any abnormal condition of the pump can be detected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions of an islet cell differentiation transcription factor polypeptide, or any of its homologs or orthologs, as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes, more specifically insulin-dependent diabetes. The methods and compositions of the present invention provide an increase in glucose tolerance, an increase in insulin, and/or an increase in insulin-producing cells in the host.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to compositions and methods of using the same to cardiovascular disease. The compositions of the present invention are cardiac stem cells that are c-kitneg/CD31+/CD38+ and express telomerase reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for the effect of a test agent on a population of biological specimens, preferably insects, comprising the steps of providing a population of specimens, administering at least one test agent to the population, creating a digitized movie showing the movements of members of the population, measuring at least one trait of members of the population, and correlating the traits of the population with the effect of the test agent. The invention also provides a method for preparing a medicament useful for the treatment of a mammalian disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method for treatment, diagnosis and prevention of bone disease and comprises methods including inhibiting or increasing neuropeptide Y synthesis, neuropeptide Y receptor synthesis, neuropeptide Y binding to the neuropeptide Y receptor, and neuropeptide Y receptor activity. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that modulate neuropeptide Y and/or neuropeptide Y receptor activity. The invention further relates to gene therapy methods utilizing neuropeptide Y and neuropeptide Y-related sequences for the treatment and prevention of bone disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflow cannula tip that is shaped to prevent suction with the ventricular wall. In particular, the inlet portion of the cannula tip comprises two projections extending from the cylindrical body of the cannula tip with gaps between said projections. The projections may have beveled edges. The inlet portion of the cannula tip can accept blood flow from either the gaps in the side or from the bottom of the tip. Even if the edge of the cannula tip is close to or even touching ventricle wall, a suction condition will not result, as blood is allowed to flow through the gaps between the projections.

Abstract: The present invention relates a system and method of image analysis, and more particularly to a computer-implemented system and method for object identification through segmentation. The system and method allows for segmenting homogenous or inhomogeneous objects of rather uniform dimensions and geometry in 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional images. The system and method is based upon image data point similarity sorting and contour identification.

Abstract: A multi-lumen endotracheal tube has means for coating an inside and an outside surface of the endotracheal tube with antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents; means for releasing antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents from the endotracheal tube; means for using electrical current to enhance the efficacy of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents; and means for using ultrasound energy to enhance the efficacy of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents. In another feature of the present invention, the multi-lumen tube further has an outer lumen, and a concentric inner lumen, and the outer lumen contains the means for coating, the means for releasing, the means for using electrical current, and the means for using ultrasound energy. In another feature of the present invention, the inside and outside surfaces have a surface coating to reduce the buildup of bacteria and biofilm on the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical system for repairing severed nerve ends. The severed nerve ends may be located on a single nerve or may be located on a nerve graft and a severed nerve. The surgical system includes a suture having a needle and an expanded tail, a clip, and a retaining member. Methods of repairing severed nerve ends and methods of adjoining severed nerve ends are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seven-carbon fatty acid, preferably n-heptanoic acid, has been identified as an excellent energy source for patients suffering from inherited metabolic disorders or acquired metabolic derangements, especially defects in long-chain fatty acid metabolism. A seven-carbon fatty acid can also be provided in a nutritional supplement for patients who need an increase in the energy production derived from fatty acid metabolism.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for desorption and ionization of analytes for the purpose of subsequent scientific analysis by such methods, for example, as mass spectrometry or biosensors. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, especially to the type of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry used to analyze macromolecules, such as proteins or biomolecules. Most specifically, this invention relates to the sample probe geometry, sample probe composition, and sample probe surface chemistries that enable the selective capture and desorption of analytes, including intact macromolecules, directly from the probe surface into the gas (vapor) phase without added chemical matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides transcription factors associated with the hedgehog signaling pathway that are regulated by dephosphorylation by phosphatases. Hedgehog response elements (HRE) that interact with the dephosphorylated transcription factors are also provided as well as methods for identifying compounds that are phosphatase inhibitors. Methods of treating tumors in a subject by modulating the phosphorylation of the transcription factor are also included.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to RNA interference using novel compositions and methods. In particular embodiments, the RNA compositions comprise double strand regions interrupted with non-complementary regions, wherein the RNA compositions are effective for regulation of transcription. In specific embodiments, transcription of a target nucleic acid sequence to which the RNA composition is directed is reduced or inhibited, such as by inducing destruction of at least one transcript. In other embodiments, multiple target nucleic acid sequences are targeted by the RNA compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides transcription factors associated with the hedgehog signaling pathway that are regulated by dephosphorylation by phosphatases. Hedgehog response elements (HRE) that interact with the dephosphorylated transcription factors are also provided as well as methods for identifying compounds that are phosphatase inhibitors. Methods of treating tumors in a subject by modulating the phosphorylation of the transcription factor are also included.

Abstract: Tools are provided for obtaining and assessing data concerning the physical or behavioral traits of an biological specimen population for the purpose of identifying, treating, or gathering intelligence on the condition of the specimen population. In one aspect, a computer system is provided to assess a condition of a biological specimen by studying the physical traits of a sample that comprises a number of specimens. The condition may comprise a human central nervous system condition. A user interface is provided that comprises a computer screen, an input interface portion, and a processing mechanism. The user interface may further comprise a specimen information input mechanism. The specimen information input mechanism may comprise a specimen type input that allows the user to specify, through the computer screen input, the type of specimen to be studied.